Download Successful Propagation Guide

Successful Propagation Guide
Contents
How to take cuttings
“If you are one of those people who
are unfamiliar with the propagation of
plants, then the growing of a plant from
seed or cutting may seem a daunting
prospect. However, with the availability
of new products from ROOT!T and by
following these simple guidelines, you
can grow your favourite plants with ease,
confidence and success.”
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12
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www.propagateplants.com
2
How to take cuttings...
4
Cuttings - introduction
8
Cuttings - equipment needed
9
Cuttings - the method
How to propagate from seed
22
Seeds - introduction
25
Seeds - equipment needed
26
Seeds - the method
32
Seeds - sowing seed directly outdoors
36
Seeds - sowing guide
38
the product range
...and propagate from seed
3
How to take cuttings
Introduction
There are several advantages of taking cuttings to generate
new plants. Firstly, the cuttings will have identical characteristics
to the donor (mother) plant. They share what is good about
your donor plant and also what is bad, so choose your plant
wisely. If you have a nutrient imbalance in the donor plant this
will show up very rapidly in the cutting, which in it’s early days
relies on its own reserves to grow before it develops a root
system of its own.
The plants will also grow to a similar shape and size, so space
can be used more efficiently. A further benefit is that once the
initial outlay has been made for a specimen plant or seeds,
new plants can be grown for minimal cost.
Take Care…
Taking successful cuttings, requires cleanliness, warmth,
healthy stock, and a little care. Cuttings are sensitive to their
environment and harsh conditions (i.e. cold & damp) will delay
rooting and increase failure rates and disease.
Which medium should I use?
ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponge is an excellent growing
medium for taking cuttings. Easy to use, with great
aeration properties, ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponge grown
plants can be transplanted into any system with minimum
transplant shock. ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponges are an
environmentally friendly product which is biodegradable!
They are made from composted organic
materials which are held together
using a special water based polymer
that ensures just the right amount of
moisture is maintained.
Alternatively you could use ROOT!T
Expanding Coco Coir Plugs or ROOT!T
Expanding Peat Plugs which are
compressed growing media
that when wetted, expand
into a small plug of growing
media ready to accept seeds or
cuttings. These are very easy to
use and provide great results.
You may also consider ROOT!T
Stonewool, used mainly in commercial
horticulture and hydroponics, which will
give you fantastic results but which will
need to be pre-soaked in a quarter strength seed nutrient
such as ROOT!T First Feed at a pH of 5.5 - 6.5.
Top Tip: To give your cuttings a head
start presoak your growing media
with ROOT!T First Feed. This will aid in
germination and root growth.
4
How to take cuttings...
...and propagate from seed
5
How many cuttings should I take?
Desirable characteristics are:
There will always be natural differences between cuttings,
sheer numbers will compensate for poor performers and
failures. The fastest rooting cuttings have the most vigorous
vegetative growth and usually the best flowering potential.
We suggest taking 50% more cuttings than you require.
Label your cuttings!
Labelling your donor plant and the cuttings (with dates too)
taken from a particular plant is a good idea, to be able to
backtrack to ‘the perfect plant’.
Be prepared!
Exposed cuttings will wilt within a few minutes, so it is best to
have all materials ready before you start and don’t leave them
lying around on a worktop before planting on.
First gather all of the required equipment. Make sure that
everything is clean and sterile (including your hands!). If
unsure wash all of your equipment and rinse everything
thoroughly and leave to dry. Choose the donor plant and
select the cuttings you wish to take.
Select a donor plant
In order to have a continuous source of cuttings, you will
need to maintain a donor plant from which to take them. As
the cuttings will have the same characteristics as the donor
plant, it is important to select the donor plant with care.
6
How to take cuttings...
Short compact growth (short internodes) in some species
Good growth or large, heavy flowers or fruit (depending on crop)
Reasonable flowering period
Good disease and insect resistance
Good taste and/or smell, bloom/flower, colours/shades
General good health, glossy green leaves and thick cuticles
Ensure regular feeding of the donor plant but not over feeding
as too much nutrient (especially Nitrogen) will cause an
imbalance in the plant leading to soft cuttings with little energy
reserves for rooting.
The donor plant should be mature before cuttings are taken
from it. This ensures that the donor plant has a well developed
root-ball.
Ideally you should water the donor plant 24 hours before you
take your cuttings and then take the cuttings within the first
hour of the light period (daylight).
Never remove more than 20% - 30% of the plant at any one
time. Taking cuttings will stress the plant and temporarily stunt
its growth, the plant should then be left to continue growing
for another four weeks before more cuttings are taken, to
allow it to fully recover and form new growth.
It should be noted that once a cutting has been taken, the cut
stem may branch into two new growths. This will make the
donor plant much bushier, which has the advantage of
reducing its height and creating more potential cuttings.
However, it may result in a decline in the quality of the cuttings.
If this occurs, a new donor plant should be allowed to develop.
...and propagate from seed
7
Equipment Needed
Why not purchase a ROOT!T Propagation Kit.
The ROOT!T Propagation Kit contains all the
necessary components to get you propagating
quickly and effectively.
Or why not make your own kit from
ROOT!T’s extensive range of high
quality propagating products.
Shopping List, see page 38
ROOT!T Gel4Plugs Rooting Gel
ROOT!T First Feed
ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponges
ROOT!T Stonewool Plugs
ROOT!T Expanding Coco Coir Plugs
ROOT!T Expanding Peat Plugs
ROOT!T Bell Cloche
ROOT!T Propagator
ROOT!T Grow Light System
ROOT!T Heat Mats
You could even post your
plants to a friend with the
ROOT!T Postal Pack.
8
How to take cuttings...
The Method
Sterilise everything that’s going to be used including
the table/cutting mat surface.
If using ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponge…
Soak the ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponge in water
immediately prior to use, ensuring any excess moisture/water
is squeezed out prior to planting the cutting. Add ROOT!T
First Feed to your water to give your cuttings a head start.
If using ROOT!T Stonewool…
Presoak in water at a pH of 5.5-6.5. Use a quarter strength
nutrient or ROOT!T First Feed. Make sure the plugs are totally
soaked and squeeze to release excess moisture.
If using ROOT!T Expanding Coco Coir Plugs or
ROOT!T Expanding Peat Plugs…
Soak the plugs in water until they are fully expanded. Create
a small dibble in the top of each one that can take ROOT!T
Gel4plugs rooting gel. Add ROOT!T First Feed to your water
to give your cuttings a head start.
If using Compost in a tray or pot…
Use free draining compost that is moist but not too wet. You
can add a mix of perlite to aid drainage. Create small dibble
holes in the top of the compost that can take ROOT!T Gel4plugs rooting gel. Add ROOT!T First Feed to your compost to give your plants a head start.
...and propagate from seed
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Selecting the cutting
Making the cut
Although any part of a plant
can be used to make a cutting,
some parts will take longer to
develop roots than others. The
main head or side stems have
the highest concentration of
growth hormones (auxins) and
are therefore more likely to
root. Cuttings should be made
from softwood stems and not
the older, harder stems. ‘Softwood’ is the term which refers
to the younger, soft, green
stems, these are the easiest to
root. Once these stems mature and age they are then known
as ‘semi-ripe’ and when fully mature ‘hardwood’.
Now you have identified what tips to cut, use a tool with a
very sharp blade to make the
cut. Use a scalpel for example,
as you do not want to crush the
tissue when cutting. The blade
should be sterilized to prevent
contamination by bacteria etc.
Clean new blades to remove any
grease etc.
Choose stems that are healthy and have at least three
sets of nodes - Smaller cuttings will root but they can be
more difficult and may take longer. With most plants the
ideal cutting length is around 5-8 cm. You need to select the
part of the stem that has an equal amount of carbohydrates
and nitrogen, to do this simply
take a tip and bend it where
you would have cut. If it bends
or partly snaps into a sharp ‘V’
then it is ok. If it snaps then the
Nodes
cutting is too woody, if it bends
into a rounded ‘U’, then the
cutting is too soft.
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How to take cuttings...
In most cases make a straight
cut below the nodes, leaving a good section of stem
underneath. A straight cut will heal over quicker than an
angled cut thus reducing chances of disease. Exceptions to
this are on plants such as Roses that need to absorb large
amounts of water to aid rooting.
Select as thick a stem as possible as thin cuttings can take
longer to root. To make it easier use a scalpel with a small piece
of wood behind the stem to serve as an anvil for making a
clean cut. If you are taking several cuttings at once, or if there
will be a time delay between cutting and planting, take a larger
cutting than is initially needed and make the final cut later.
Select cutting
Make the first cut
Make final cut later
...and propagate from seed
11
Cuttings should be left sitting upright in water so that air does
not get to the cut surface. Use a pair of scissors for the first
cut, as the opposing blades will ‘seal’ the end. Make the final
cut with a sharp blade, this leaves an open cut which allows
roots to develop.
Cut made with
scissors seals
the end
Cut made with a
sharp blade aids
rooting
Removing the lower leaves
The larger, lower leaves should be removed, so the cutting
does not have to expend energy maintaining them. They will
probably die anyway. At least the top two sets of leaves must
be left. It is preferable (if possible) to remove leaves before
making the cut, to avoid embolisms. An embolism occurs when
a small bubble of air is sucked up into the stem, preventing
the cutting from drawing up the water and nutrients that it
needs. This will also allow you to plant the cutting as soon as
possible after it has been taken from the donor plant.
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How to take cuttings...
ROOTING GEL application
For optimum rooting results, it is important that your
growing media or plugs are pre-soaked with water and ROOT!T First Feed, set up with dibble holes filled
with ROOT!T Gel4Plugs Rooting Gel and are ready to
accept the cuttings as soon as possible after the cut has been made.
Cuttings should be put straight into the growing medium to
keep the auxins flowing down the stem and limiting air getting to the open, cut end. Exposure to the air can cause an
embolism and is a common cause of cuttings failing to root.
ROOT!T Gel4Plugs Rooting Gel help the cutting to establish by:
Sealing the cut tissue
Promoting root cell development
Protecting initial root tissues
Protecting against disease
Feeding young roots
ROOT!T Gel4Plugs Rooting Gel has the advantage over
other gels and powders as it will remain in contact with the
stem for longer and so is more successful in promoting root
development. Once the cut has been made, a callous (basal
swelling) will form, this is the plants way of healing the
wound. The roots will then grow from this callous.
Make sure you apply enough rooting gel to the
dibble hole to completely cover the base of the
cutting and that there is no air around the base
of the cutting. The rooting gel should spill out
of the growing media and form a
small mound on the surface. Avoid
simply pre-dipping your cutting in
the rooting gel or using additional
rooting hormones.
...and propagate from seed
13
Scoring
Transfer To A Propagator
Some gardeners use a technique called ‘scoring’ to encourage
the process of root development. The cutting is submerged
in lukewarm water and a small section is removed from the
outside. This exposes the cambium layer so that the cells
on the surface
will change into
rooting cells quicker.
Be careful not to
remove too much,
just the outer layer
The cuttings should now be transferred
to a propagator. A low-level continuous
heat is preferred. In summer, a
greenhouse or windowsill will be
adequate. If growing in the colder
months some controlled heat and light
will be required. The heat will dry out the cuttings quickly,
therefore more frequent watering may be required. Leave
the plugs or growing media in the high humidity of the
propagator at around 22-25 ˚C.
Plant The Cutting
The plugs or grow media should NOT sit in water. As long as
the humidity is high, you can spray with water twice a day for
the first 2 days, then once a day until roots develop.
Place the cutting (as quickly as possible) into your rooting medium.
Plant until the nodes of the removed lower leaves are level
with the media surface, making sure that rooting gel is seen
all around the base. These
exposed nodes have a high
Too deep
Too shallow
concentration of potential
root cells and this will create
two more sites from which
roots may develop. Make
sure the pilot hole is large
enough for your cutting and
use plenty of ROOT!T
Rooting Gel. Cuttings
should always remain
Correct depth
vertical so that the plants
natural rooting hormones
can easily make their way
down to the cut stem.
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How to take cuttings...
The humidity must be high (>90%), you should see condensation inside the propagator and maybe on the leaves.
The propagator lid should be left on for 2 days with the vents
closed, and lifted daily to provide an air exchange.
When using a hydroponic misting rooting chamber, if your
cuttings are being misted from the base to induce rooting
and no foliage misting or humidity is applied, then we
recommend making an angled cut on the stem as this will
help increase the amount of water absorbed through the
cutting to help induce rooting.
Lighting
If using lighting, go for energy efficient
fluorescent lighting such as the ROOT!T
Grow Light System, keeping it on for 24
hours. Unrooted cuttings require low light
levels, do not blast them with direct HID
(High Intensity Discharge) lights!
A ROOT!T Grow Light placed 30cm from the plants is ideal.
...and propagate from seed
15
Progression And Hardening-Off
Day 1
Initially the cuttings will wilt slightly but
should remain green and healthy.
Make sure the rooting medium is not too wet or dry
Make sure the humidity is around 80%-90%.
Make sure the temperature is around 22-25°C.
If after four days to a week the cutting is still wilting then
carefully check the growing medium for any roots, if none
have grown they will need to be re-cut.
Day 2
Your cuttings should now be picking up.
Although the leaves may still wilt, the cutting
tip should now be moving towards the light.
Day 3
By now they should be standing upright with
the leaves starting to lift towards the light.
Open the propagator lid vents to acclimatise
them. (If wilting occurs, leave vents closed
for another day and try again). Keep in mind
that the longer you have humid conditions
the more likely the cutting is to develop
mould or fungal problems.
Day 4 +
Now they should be looking healthy and
the leaves should be arching towards the
light. Leave the propagator vents open.
These first four days are the most crucial.
If after this time the cutting is still wilting,
then something is probably wrong (possibly
16
an embolism or the base was not in contact with the rooting
gel). If several plants are wilting then the problem is probably
environmental. Check the following:
How to take cuttings...
Remove from the growing medium as carefully as possible.
Re-cut the stem at a 45 degree angle.
Re-apply rooting gel to the dibble hole in new growing media.
Replace into new growing medium as soon as possible.
Days 4 - 7
Little really happens above ground in
the first week, but below ground the
division of cells at the cut stem will have
an initiated basal swelling from which
the roots will develop.
Week 2
In the second week there should be
observable development. The cuttings
should have developed roots and have started
feeding, with initial sprouting of new growth above
ground. Do not worry if the lower leaves turn
yellow or brown - this is a good indication that
the roots are growing, however, if they look burnt
at the edges, the roots may not be developing
correctly.
Please note that hardwood cuttings can take a
lot longer to root.
...and propagate from seed
17
When you first see that the cuttings are rooting through the
bottom of the growing media or plug, you can start watering
them. Adding a weak nutrient solution is recommended at this
point, use ROOT!T First Feed. Let the solution drain from the
plugs or grow media. If you have some cuttings rooted and
some not, continue with the humid condition for a couple of
more days.
Roots should be white and fuzzy, brown roots indicate rot.
WEEK 3-5
By now the initial roots should be seen protruding from the
rooting medium and new leaf growth should be occurring.
Once the cuttings have fully established roots they can be
transplanted and either: kept under low intensity lighting
(ROOT!T Grow Light System) or moved to weak HID (High
Intensity Discharge) lighting and a half strength nutrient
regime in a hydroponic/aeroponic propagating system, or be
potted on in a greenhouse or on a windowsill or planted
into soil.
18
How to take cuttings...
Please remember to add an intermediate potting on stage
if planting into large containers. Do not simply plant your
rooted cutting into a 15 litre container as it will be harder to
keep control of the environment around your cuttings. Plant
out first in something like a 13cm/1 litre pot as it will gain
root volume quicker and there is less risk of over watering.
ROOT!T First Feed should continue to be
fed to rooted cuttings for the first 3 weeks,
watering more frequently is advised to avoid
the exposed root tips drying out.
POT ON
INTO SOIL
POT ON INTO
HYDROPONICS
...and propagate from seed
19
Other Methods Of Taking Cuttings
Softwood stem cuttings can be taken from most plants. However some plants require other methods of propagation.
Leaf Cuttings
Whole Leaf
Take a mature healthy leaf, cut off the stalk
tip, place into the rooting medium prefilled
with ROOT!T Gel4Plugs rooting gel.
Leaf and Stalk
Take a leaf with a long stem and cut
about 4 cm down, place into the rooting
medium prefilled with ROOT!T Gel4Plugs rooting gel.
Leaf Segment
Cut the leaf into a triangle (or even
several sections), place into the rooting
medium prefilled with
ROOT!T Gel4Plugs rooting gel.
Offsets
Offsets are miniature plants that develop from off-shoots
from the donor plant. A commonly known example of this
is the spider plant or strawberry runner. Offsets can simply
be removed and placed straight into the rooting medium.
If it does not have any aerial roots showing, leave it to soak
for 24 hours prior to planting.
Presoaking the growing media in
ROOT!T First Feed will give the
plant a head start.
20
How to take cuttings...
Division
Division is the simplest method of producing
new plants. Some plants, such as ferns,
have multiple crowns. The donor plant can
be split apart to create several new plants.
Air Layering
This technique is only recommended
for propagating the rarest or most
exotic plants. It can also be used to
reduce the height of plants that have
become too leggy.
Remove a 11/2 cm segment from the
outer layer of the stalk about 30
cms from the top of the plant. With
smaller plants a small inclusion can
be made.
Cover the wound with
sphagnum moss (or vermiculite, peat moss
etc) and bind with cotton/ string.
Cover with clear
plastic or polythene
and bind at both
ends, but only
enough to retain.
After a few months roots will have developed
and should be visible through the plastic.
Remove the plastic and with a clean, sharp tool
cut just below the roots. Carefully plant the top
part into a rooting medium and allow the lower
half to continue to grow as before.
...and propagate from seed
21
How To Propagate From Seed
Introduction
An alternative to growing plants from cuttings is to propagate
from seed.
Take Care!
Propagating successfully from seed requires cleanliness,
warmth, quality seeds and a little care. Seedlings are sensitive
to their environment and harsh conditions (i.e. cold and damp),
will delay development and increase mortality and failure rates.
Which medium should I use?
ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponge is an excellent medium
for seed propagation, it is easy to use, with great aeration
properties that aid germination. ROOT!T Natural Rooting
Sponge grown plants can be transplanted into any system
with minimum transplant shock. ROOT!T Natural Rooting
Sponge is a natural environmentally friendly product which
is biodegradable! They are made from composted organic
materials, which are held together using a special water based
polymer that ensures just the right amount of moisture is
maintained. Alternatively you could use ROOT!T Expanding
Coco Coir Plugs or ROOT!T Expanding Peat Plugs which
are compressed growing media that when wetted, expand
into a small plug of growing media ready to accept seeds or
cuttings. These are very easy to use and provide great results.
You may also consider ROOT!T Stonewool, used mainly in
commercial horticulture and hydroponics which will give you
Top Tip: To give your seedlings a head
start, presoak your growing media
with ROOT!T First Feed. This will aid in
germination and root growth.
fantastic results but which will need to be pre-soaked in a
quarter strength seed nutrient such as ROOT!T First Feed at a
pH of 5.5 - 6.5.
Sowing directly into pots or outside in a grow bed is also
possible but the soil temperature needs to be right for germination to occur.
How many seeds should I plant?
There will always be natural differences between seeds,
sheer numbers will compensate for poor performers and
failures. The fastest germinating seeds have the most vigorous
vegetative growth and usually the best flowering potential.
We suggest planting more seeds than you require.
Label your seedlings!
Labelling and dating your seedlings and propagation media is
a good idea to be able to backtrack to a good seed source or
plant variety.
How can I increase the germination rates of
my seeds?
For germination the seed requires air, water, warmth and in
some cases light. Some seeds have a built in natural trigger
that aids in controlling the time of germination. Rather
than allowing the seed to germinate at just any old time,
the trigger keeps the seeds dormant until conditions are
favourable. This dormancy can be achieved in several ways,
the seed may have a hard coat that must rot or be broken
before germination can take place, there may be chemical
inhibitors present in the seed, or the seed may have to
experience alternating cold and warm periods.
‘Scarification’ is a method used to breach the seed with a
hardened seed coat and thereby allows water to enter, which
in turn speeds up germination. Small seed with hardened
coats are best shaken in a jar lined with coarse sand paper,
...and propagate from seed
23
whereas large seed can have their skin cut with a knife. Some
hard seed may also be steeped in tepid water for twenty four
hours before sowing, for example the canna or sweet-pea.
Steeping (pre-soaking) your seed before planting them is a
terrific way to ensure a greater germination percentage and
faster germination rates. There are a few different methods of
soaking seeds. The two most popular being the ‘Paper-Towel
Method’ (where you place the seeds between the sheets of
a paper towel dampened with water only) and the ‘Standard
Method’ (soaking in a cup or similar). Both methods yield
similar results if done correctly (tap root emerges in
approximately 24 hrs).
There is also a product on the market called
Halo which has beneficial effects on growth
and plant yield when seeds or tubers such as
potatoes are pre-soaked in a Halo solution.
NOTE: Regardless of which method you use, if soaking seeds,
soak in a dark warm environment for the best results. Once
the tap root (tiny white root-tip) emerges from the seeds, they
are ready to be planted into the propagation medium.
Equipment Needed
Why not purchase a ROOT!T Propagation Kit.
The ROOT!T Propagation Kit contains all the
necessary components to get you propagating
quickly and effectively.
Or why not make your own kit from
ROOT!T’s extensive range of high
quality propagating products.
Shopping List, see page 38
ROOT!T First Feed
ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponges
ROOT!T Stonewool Plugs
ROOT!T Expanding Coco Coir Plugs
ROOT!T Expanding Peat Plugs
ROOT!T Bell Cloche if growing outside
ROOT!T Propagator
ROOT!T Grow Light System
ROOT!T Heat Mats
You could even post your plants to a
friend with the ROOT!T Postal Pack.
Mix ROOT!T First Feed with beneficial
bacteria from VitaLink BioPlus for
increased root growth.
24
How to take cuttings...
...and propagate from seed
25
The Method
Sowing your Seed
Sterilise everything that’s going to be used in planting
the seed.
For larger seeds use tweezers, place
the seeds (pre-soaked or not) into your
chosen growing media. Sowing fine
seed evenly can be quite difficult. The
easiest way is to take a piece of paper
and fold it in half, tip the seed into
the fold and gently tap the paper thus
scattering the seed lightly and evenly.
If using the ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponge 24 Cell Tray…
Presoak the plugs with water, ensuring any excess moisture/
water is squeezed out prior to seeding. Add ROOT!T First
Feed to your water to aid germination and give your seedlings
a head start. The drip tray supplied supplied with the 24 cell
insert can also be used as a germination lid, simply place over
seeded plugs to encourage sprouting, check every day.
If using ROOT!T Stonewool…
Presoak in water at a pH of 5.5 - 6.5, a quarter strength seed
nutrient is essential for Stonewool, use ROOT!T First Feed.
Make sure the plugs are totally soaked and squeeze to release
excess moisture.
If using ROOT!T Expanding Coco Coir Plugs or ROOT!T Expanding Peat Plugs…
Soak the plugs in water until they are fully expanded. Create
a small dibble in the top of each one that can take your seed.
Add ROOT!T First Feed to your water to give your plants a
head start.
If using Compost in a tray or pot…
Use free draining compost that is moist but not too wet. You
can add a mix of perlite to aid drainage or a mix of vermiculite
to aid water retention. Add ROOT!T First Feed to your
compost to give your plants a head start.
Make sure that all the pots and trays to be used are spotlessly
clean and sterilised. Fill the pot or tray with moistened sowing
compost and then firm it down lightly. (Always remember to
moisten the compost thoroughly before sowing). Level off the
top of the compost and once again firm it down lightly.
26
How to take cuttings...
There are many schools of thought on the depth that provides
optimum results, but 3 - 5mm (or 11/2 times the seeds
diameter) is generally accepted as best, but some people
prefer slightly deeper. Consider this, the seed only carries a
certain amount of ‘fuel’, so placing it
too deep may cause the seed to fail in
its attempt to break the surface of the
plug. Orientation is also a factor. Good
seeds are always pretty regular in their
shape. For best results place the seed
with either the crack or the ‘pointy
42mm
end’ down. This allows the seed to use
minimal amount of energy orientating
itself and also reduces the risk of the
38mm
seedcase becoming stuck while trying
to push free. Remember, ROOT!T
Rooting Sponge is designed with a special planting hole at the ideal depth for seeds.
Tear off a small part of the plug and
place over the seed, this will lower light
levels and increase humidity triggering
germination of most seed types.
...and propagate from seed
27
If using potting soil in a pot or tray, with dry hands, take a
small amount of seed in the palm of one hand and gently
tap with the other, so distributing the seed evenly over the
compost surface.
For larger seed, make holes using a stick or dibber and place
the seeds into the holes. Once sown, all except most fine
seed, need to be covered. To avoid dislodging the seeds when
covering them, either use a sieve to gently shake a fine layer
of compost over them, or cover the seeds with a layer of
vermiculite.
Each seed needs plenty of room to develop in its early
stages. This space is especially important when sowing in the
greenhouse or a frame. With a humid atmosphere and too
dense a sowing, you are providing ideal conditions for disease
attacks, especially the damping off disease ‘Pythium’.
As a general rule the majority of seed are best sown the year
after harvesting, however, a few may remain viable for two,
five or even seven years and in the case of melon seed up to
fifteen years, though this is quite rare.
Indoor Seedling Management
After sowing the seed, place in a ROOT!T Propagator
with the vents closed or cover the pot with a ROOT!T Bell
Cloche with the vents closed, glass, or clingfilm (a Cloche
or Propagator is best as it allows the seedlings to grow
and without touching the cover which can lead to fungal
problems). This covering will help conserve moisture, maintain
a constant low-level continuous heat and exclude draughts.
In summer, a greenhouse or windowsill will be adequate to
site your propagator. If growing in the colder months some
controlled heat will be required at around 22 - 25˚C from
either a ROOT!T Heat Mat, heated propagator or in an airing
cupboard or warm room with a ROOT!T Grow Light System.
28
How to take cuttings...
From time to time remove the covering and wipe over with a
cloth, this will prevent the build up of excessive condensation
and allow full light to reach the seedlings.
Some seeds require darkness to germinate and for this the
ROOT!T 24 Cell Propagation Tray comes with a germination
lid that you can place loosely over the seeded plug, then when
germinated, place underneath as a drip tray.
Once germinated open the vents on your Bell Cloche or propagator, halfway at first, to let them acclimatise then fully
open after the second set of leaves have appeared.
The greatest error in the management of seedlings is to
over-water them. Thorough drainage of seed trays, pots and
boxes is essential in order to achieve strong, healthy seedlings
as the end result. The general rule is that the seedlings should
not be allowed to dry out, but should also not become too
waterlogged. For example water the ROOT!T Natural Rooting
Sponge evenly until you see water appear at the base of the
...and propagate from seed
29
sponge, continue until all sponges are watered. The seeds
will take between 24 hours to 10 days to protrude from the
sponges, with around 3 - 5 days being the norm. Adding
a weak nutrient solution is recommended at this point, we
recommend using ROOT!T First Feed. Let the solution drain
from the sponges.
Provide plenty of natural light, without it the seedlings will
soon become pale and leggy. If you are growing seedlings
on a windowsill, remember to turn the container regularly,
otherwise you will have seedlings that are leaning as they
grow towards the light.
If light levels are low, or you want to get a head start early in
the season then you can use a horticultural grow light. We
recommend the ROOT!T Grow Light System which has the
ideal light levels required and is cheap to run. Your seedlings
will require 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. Under
no circumstances use a Horticultural HID light. The seedlings
will not be strong enough to cope with a HID lamp until at
least week 2. Once lighting is set-up you need to ensure
a stable temperature, 24˚C is the ideal temperature for
germination and propagation. Try using a ROOT!T Heatmat.
Air is another essential requirement in the management of
seedlings. If damping off and spindly growth are to be avoided then ensure that there is adequate ventilation. Once
the seedlings are large enough to handle, early pricking out
or planting into growing systems or outside grow beds is
advisable. If sown in a pot, loosen the compost gently by
knocking the container against the table and then remove
both seedlings and compost intact, sliding them out onto a
work top. Take the seedling by the leaves and using a pencil
30
How to take cuttings...
or dibber, carefully separate each seedling retaining a little
compost around the roots, transplant the seedling into a
ready prepared cell tray or larger pot. Firm the soil around the
seedling and water. If you are using larger seeds and have two
sown seeds to a pot, once one of the seedlings has reached
a height of 5 - 7cm, remove the smaller seedling, leaving the
stronger to grow on.
The seedlings are ready to be potted out into your desired
system or potted on into larger pots before going outside
when they have developed 3 to 4 sets of leaves.
In preparation for planting outdoors the plants will need to
be ‘hardened’ off. This is a process that may take two to three
weeks. If your seedlings have been grown in the protective
environment of a propagator, bell cloche, greenhouse, or the
...and propagate from seed
31
warmth of a windowsill, they will need to be moved to a cold
frame. At first the frame should remain closed. Then, during
daylight, open the lid of the frame for increasingly long periods. Continue this process until you can leave the lid open
for both day and night. Once this has been achieved the
young plants can be planted outdoors.
If sowing directly under a bell cloche outside then keep the cloche
over the plant until established, then start to remove from the
plant in the day but replace at night to aid hardening off.
As with indoor seedlings, it will be necessary to thin out the
seedlings in order to prevent over-crowding. Water the row
of seedlings the day before you intend to transplant them,
firming down the soil at the base of those that are to remain
in situ. Next day, carefully remove those to be transplanted
and gently replant them into new rows. Water the seedlings
using a fine spray. At all times keep the seedling bed clear of
any weeds, and anticipate attacks from slugs and snails.
Add ROOT!T First Feed to your water to give your plants a
head start.
Sowing Seed Outdoors
Sowing depths and distances are usually suggested on the
back of seed packets or in any good gardening book. As a
general rule remember that most seed will not germinate
until the soil has warmed above 7°C. When sowing outside in
early spring it is best to sow seed under ROOT!T Bell Cloches
(if sowing in small areas or large planting spaces). If you
place the cloches over the area to be sown two weeks before
sowing, this will warm up the soil and encourage the seed
to germinate.
Care of Outdoor Seedlings
The care of outdoor seedlings is basically the same as indoor
seedlings. The seeds should of course be thinly sown onto a
well prepared seed-bed positioned in a part of the plot that
has a lightly shaded area. The watering of seedlings outdoors
should not be done in the heat of the day. To avoid the soil
being washed away from the seedlings when watering, use
a fine spray head on the hose, or a fine rose head on the
watering can. Luke warm water is preferable to cold water.
32
How to take cuttings...
...and propagate from seed
33
Using A Bell Cloche
The ROOT!T Bell Cloche is Ideal for establishing seedlings or
young plants that require warmth such as peppers. They also
protect from pests and bad weather, promoting an environment for strong and healthy growth. ROOT!T Bell
Cloches can be used on the ground or in pots and are securely
held in place with ground pegs supplied.
ROOT!T Bell Cloches are manufactured from high grade UV
stabilised plastic, and have an adjustable air vent on the top to
allow for humidity control. ‘Cloche’ is in fact French meaning
‘Bell’. ‘Bell Jar’ cloches were originally made from hand blown
glass and used extensively by gardeners in the Victorian era
to bring on crops early so as to get 2 or even 3 crops in a year
depending on the crop.
Benefits of using a ROOT!T Bell Cloche:
ROOT!T Bell Cloches encourage stable and healthy growth of
seedlings, tender and semi-hardy plants.
ROOT!T Bell Cloches uses:
Encouraging growth and hardening off young plants.
Warming & drying soil prior to sowing or planting outdoors.
Over-wintering of herbaceous borders and less hardy
perennials that would otherwise have to be transplanted during the winter.
Growing winter lettuces and mixed salad crops.
Encouraging early crops of salad, vegetables and fruit.
Mature crops early which will keep plants cropping longer through the year.
Ripening subtropical crops such as vines, peppers etc.
Cloched strawberries will ripen at least three weeks earlier than unprotected ones.
They can also help control some garden pests such as birds,
rabbits, slugs and snails.
ROOT!T Bell Cloches conserve warmth and humidity.
ROOT!T Bell Cloches direct rainwater into the surrounding soil.
34
ROOT!T Bell Cloches protect plants against damage from harsh weather.
ROOT!T Bell Cloches can be used all year round for protecting young plants.
ROOT!T Bell Cloches decorative appearance make them a
focal point and an excellent and affordable gift to keen gardeners.
ROOT!T Bell Cloches are small and mobile which makes them more versatile than a cold frame.
ROOT!T Bell Cloches have an Air Vent for improved ventilation and humidity control and are supplied with ground pegs to hold your bells secure.
How to take cuttings...
...and propagate from seed
35
Seed Sowing Guide
SOW IN GENTLE HEAT / GREENHOUSE
SOW UNDER CLOCHES / GLASS
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL
OV DEC
AUG SEP OCT N
SOW OUTDOORS / UNHEATED
BROAD BEANS
RUNNER BEANS
BEETROOT
CARROT- EARLY OUTDOORS
CABBAGE
CAULIFLOWER
COURGETTE
CUCUMBER GREENHOUSE
LETTUCE (SUMMER/AUTUMN)
LETTUCE (WINTER GREENHOUSE)
LETTUCE (SPRING)
PARSLEY
PEAS
PEPPER (INDOOR)
ROCKET
STRAWBERRY
TOMATO GREENHOUSE
TOMATO OUTDOORS
36
How to take cuttings...
Use a ROOT!T GROW LIGHT
SYSTEM and you can propagate
any time of the year!
...and propagate from seed
37
Products available to help you grow..
The Unique ROOT!T
Rooting Sponge
The Product Range
Advanced Products through research
The ROOT!T range is the latest innovation in propagation and
has been developed to help growers get off to a flying start.
With our ongoing product development, we constantly look for
ways to improve existing products as well as creating new ones.
The products are all designed to maximise your success rate and
be simple to use.
Reliable Performance
We maintain stringent quality control to ensure products perform
consistently well. Each batch of liquid product undergoes
complete laboratory analysis before shipment.
Most of our kits feature the ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponge
which has demonstrated time after time superior rooting ability.
It is nice to handle, clean and compostable after use.
It dries from the outside in so you will see when it is time to
water before your plants get stressed. Due to the way it is made,
when combined with ROOT!T Gel4Plugs, it will encourage root
growth on cuttings faster than any other growing media.
What are you waiting for? Give it a try!
ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponge Benefits
Environmentally friendly & bio-degradable.
Faster more vigorous rooting & reduced
plant shock.
Superior absorption of nutrients & easily maintains perfect water/air ratio.
Improved water retention & reduces
transplant losses.
Insulates roots better against heat or
lack of moisture.
Contains micronutrients & beneficial
microbes to aid germination.
Unique pre-moulded hole for cuttings
and seeds.
38
How to take cuttings...
...and propagate from seed
39
Products available to help you grow..
Propagation Kits
ROOT!T® Propagation Kit
The kit comes complete with a medium size propagator, a
24 cell insert and tray, filled with ROOT!T Natural Rooting
Sponges that offer the latest and fastest rooting available
today, a sterile scalpel, ROOT!T Gel4Plugs Rooting Gel &
ROOT!T First Feed and a book on how to grow from cuttings
or seeds. The ideal introduction kit to propagation!
Size: L:38cm x W:24cm x H:18.5cm
What’s inside?
High Quality Propagator
Natural 24 cell insert with ROOT!T
Rooting Sponges
ROOT!T First Feed
Gel
ROOT!T Gel4Plugs Rooting
Sterilised Scalpel
g great results
‘How to’ guide on achievin
s
seed
&
ings
from your cutt
Successfu
l Propagat
40
How to take cuttings...
ion Guide
...and propagate from seed
41
Products available to help you grow..
Propagation Kits
ROOT!T® Windowsill Propagator
Filled with 24 ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponges, this
propagator has been designed to fit perfectly onto a
windowsill. With its leaf design vents, not only does it look
good it is a great way to successfully grow indoors. Included
with the ROOT!T Windowsill Propagator is ROOT!T Gel4Plugs
Rooting Gel and ROOT!T First Feed.
Size: L:39.5cm x W:19cm x H:10.5cm
What’s inside?
Ventilated propagator lid
Propagator base
24 cell insert with ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponges
ROOT!T First Feed
ROOT!T Gel4Plugs Rooting Gel
42
How to take cuttings...
...and propagate from seed
43
Products available to help you grow..
Propagation Kits
ROOT!T® Postal Pack
1
Post cuttings and seedlings to your family
and friends with the ROOT!T Postal Pack.
This robust postal propagator comes
complete with 5 ROOT!T Natural Rooting
Sponges offering the latest and fastest
rooting. Simply take your cuttings/
seedlings, place on the windowsill until
plants develop then post, its that easy. No
need for an outer envelope simply write
the postal address on the label provided
and send to your family and friends. The
ROOT!T Postal Pack is the perfect gift for
all ages.
2
4
How to take cuttings...
Plugs & Kit refills
ROOT!T® 24 Filled Insert & Tray
This is the perfect cutting and
germination product. 24 ROOT!T Natural Rooting
Sponges supplied in a specially
designed insert and drip tray that
can also be used as a germination
lid. This ROOT!T 24 Filled Insert &
Tray offers the latest and fastest
rooting medium.
ROOT!T® Rooting Sponges
50 refill bag
3
44
Products available to help you grow..
Maximise your success rate and
grow faster, more vigorous roots
with ROOT!T Natural Rooting
Sponges – the latest innovation
in propagation. Not only are they
simple to use and easy to pot on.
This bag of 50 sponges can be
used to refill trays or used on
there own on a bed of perlite or
Vermiculite.
The bag is resealable to help
ensure that each ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponge is kept in perfect condition.
...and propagate from seed
45
Products available to help you grow..
Bell Cloches
Products available to help you grow..
Large Propagator
ROOT!T® Bell Cloche
ROOT!T® Large Propagator
ROOT!T Bell Cloches can be secured to the
ground or pot with ground pegs (supplied)
sold in packs of 3 cloches, each pack contains
9 ground pegs (3 per cloche). ROOT!T Bell
Cloches are manufactured from high
grade UV stabilised plastic, and have an
adjustable air vent on the top to allow for
humidity control.
The ROOT!T large propagator
lid and the ROOT!T large
propagator tray are not
only great value their
lightweight design means
that they have many
uses. The ROOT!T large
propagator lid has two
vents for humidity control
and the whole lid can be used
on its own as a large cloche when
growing outdoors. The ROOT!T
large propagator tray has been
designed to be large enough to fit
a whole SBS tray (Cultilène/Grodan/
Jiffy) or used with loose growing
media as a seed tray/hardening
off tray.
Small cloche 22 cm high x 26 cm diameter
Large cloche 31 cm high x 33 cm diameter
Adjustable Vents
Propagator Lid
L:57.5 cm x W:37 cm x H:14 cm
(excluding handle)
Propagator Tray
L:57 cm x W:36.5 cm x H:5.5 cm
46
How to take cuttings...
Adjustable Vent
Ground Pegs (supplied)
...and propagate from seed
47
Products available to help you grow..
Products available to help you grow..
Coco Coir
Propagation
Stonewool Kits
for Hydroponic growing
Coco Coir is the ideal substitute for peat. It comes from sustainable
eco sources and is easy to use.
It has a superior air to water ratio than peat which helps
establish plants and encourage
strong rooting.
ROOT!T® Stonewool
Propagation Kit and
ROOT!T® 24 cell trays/refill
ROOT!T® Expanding
Coco Coir Plugs
Simply add water, watch them swell, then
use to grow your cuttings or seeds. Each
pack contains 36 x 36cm round plugs.
ROOT!T® Expanding
Coco Coir Pot Blocks
Ideal for transferring your Coco Coir
plug or Rooting Sponge into a bigger media for larger root growth.
Available in packs of 4 blocks.
2 sizes available:
7.5cm x 7.5cm x 6cm (expanded volume 0.34L)
10cm x 10cm x 7cm (expanded volume 0.7L)
Unlike other brands our Expanding Plugs do not have
netting at the base, this allows the tap root to grow
naturally out of the base of the plug unrestricted
avoiding root strangulation. Ideal for root vegetables.
ROOT!T Expanding plugs also available in peat versions.
48
How to take cuttings...
Commonly used by commercial growers for
hydroponic cultivation.
Whether sowing or cloning,
ROOT!T Stonewool p­­­lugs are
the solution to achieving a
homogeneous sowing result.
Improving the homogeneity
of the plugs produces uniform
batches of plants because of
the even distribution of water,
nutrients and pH value. This
consequently achieves better
germination results. Not as easy
to use as ROOT!T Natural Rooting
Sponges as ROOT!T Stonewool is
completely inert so pH monitoring
is crucial.
The contents of these kits are
similar to the ROOT!T Natural
Rooting Sponge kits but contain
ROOT!T Stonewool Plugs.
...and propagate from seed
49
Products available to help you grow..
Rooting Gel
ROOT!T® Gel4Plugs
Rooting Gel
ROOT!T Gel4Plugs Rooting Gel is the first
rooting gel specifically formulated for use
with growing media. ROOT!T Gel4Plugs
Rooting Gel will root in 3-4 days, with no
visible wilt, more root development and
happy stress free clones from day one!
Products available to help you grow..
Baby Plant Feed
ROOT!T® First Feed
Specially formulated to give young plants the best start in life.
ROOT!T First Feed contains everything required for healthy
growing during this crucial stage including Boron and Calcium
for the fastest healthiest root development.
This highly concentrated liquid feed is incredibly easy to use
and is ideally suited for propagation plugs/sponges or transplanter blocks/pots. NPK 2.0/1.15/2.3.
This fantastic product comes in a gel
that stays firm in the plug replacing the
need for hormone rooting powder.
ROOT!T Gel4Plugs Rooting Gel, unlike
other rooting gels is placed directly into
the central cavity of the plug.
The gel forms a seal around the cut
surface of the cutting, aiding uptake
and helping prevent dehydration and
infection. It will work equally effectively
with Rooting Sponges, Stonewool, peat
plugs, coco coir plugs, fibre or compost.
Here we see 4 plugs, 2 on the left were
Pre-soaked in ROOT!T First Feed before a
seed was placed in the plug. Notice that
with ROOT!T First Feed there has been
rapid root growth compared to normal
seeded plugs on the far right.
TOP TIP: Commercial growers are having
great results from ROOT!T First Feed with
the addition of 2ml per litre of VitaLink
BioPlus (a professional feed additive).
50
How to take cuttings...
...and propagate from seed
51
Products available to help you grow..
Products available to help you grow..
Heat your rootzone
Control the heat
ROOT!T Heat Mat Thermostat controller
®
ROOT!T® Heat Mats
Get a jump start on plantings with the ROOT!T Heat Mat!
Adding uniform heat to your plants will speed up
germination by days! ROOT!T Heat Mat offers more uniform
heating than others on the market with its intricate pattern
of fine wire throughout its waterproof, frayproof layers
delivering the durability to withstand rugged greenhouse
environments.
This mat warms the rooting area 10-20 degrees F over ambient temperature. A thermostat is also available for these
heat mats offering complete temperature control.
ROOT!T’s electronic temperature controller is compatible with
all heat mats and is an optional accessory for the ROOT!T Heat
Mats. The thermostat controls the temperature of heat mats
evenly in colder or warmer than normal environments. It provides
constant optimum temperatures for specific plants. It has an easy
plug-in operation with an illuminated indicator.
Features:
Controls temperature of heat mats evenly in colder/warmer than normal environments.
Sizes available
Provides constant optimum temp for specific plants.
Easy plug-in operation.
Indicator light.
Simple to use.
23cm x 48cm
40cm x 120cm
25cm x 35cm
52
How to take cuttings...
40cm x 60cm
...and propagate from seed
53
ROOT!T® Grow Light System
2 Foot Jump Start dimensions: L:66cm x W:46cm x H:61cm
4 Foot Jump Start dimensions: L:127cm x W:46cm H:81cm
gr
ow a
12
montHs
mo
s
Y e ar a
Each ROOT!T Grow Light is fitted with a high output ROOT!T
T5 full daylight spectrum bulb, that encourages faster growth.
These ROOT!T T5 bulbs are more than twice as efficient than
ordinary grow lights, have 20% more light intensity than comparable fluorescent grow lights and are cool running.
Available in 2 lengths.
LL
Young plants, cuttings and seedlings are delicate and have
specific lighting needs compared to established plants. The
ROOT!T Grow Light, has been specifically designed to give
your plants the best light they need. Fully adjustable, the
ROOT!T Grow Light allows you to alter the height of the light,
so that the it is either closer or further away from the plants
to ensure a healthy and robust growth.
Not only is it simple and easy to use, it promotes great plant
growth and it is cheap to run.
u nd
Grow Lights
The ROOT!T Grow Light has an independent on/off switch, long
power cord, robust design and is able accommodate the most
popular sizes of propagator.
ro
Products available to help you grow..
Each ROOT!T T5 provides:
•
2000 initial lumens
•
24 watts 6400K – full daylight spectrum
•
20,000 hour life
Post your plants!
54
How to take cuttings...
...and propagate from seed
55
Visit our website for more exciting products
www.propagateplants.com
© 2010 HydroGarden Ltd. All rights reserved. HydroGarden has taken
all reasonable care in the preparation of this information but makes
no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information
and cannot be held responsible for any resultant effects of using this
information on any person or thing including plants or equipment.
Manufactured by HydroGarden UK: PO BOX 605, Coventry, England.
56
How to take cuttings...